Permutation switch



Uff@ 4i 3957i H. HASKETT PERMUTTION SWITCH Filed April l, 1949 lsluil FIG- 4 INVENTOR.

HENRY HASKETT ATTORNEV Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PERMUTATION SWITCH Henry Haskett, Annaplis, Md.

Application April 1, 1949, Serial No. 85,009

7 claims. (o1. 1v1-V97) This invention relates to circuit makers and breakers and more particularly to a permutation switch by which one or more circuits may be energized upon compliance with a series of selectively predetermined conditions. The invention is particularly adapted for use with coin operated machines such as those simulating horse races or those which may be played by predicting a series of numbers but the device is in no way limited to use with these machines and may be utilized for any desired purpose for which it is adapted.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a permutation switch in which a series of conditions may be selected which if complied with will result in energizing one or more circuits.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a permutation switch in which one of a series of conditions may be selected which if complied with will result in energizing one or more circuits.

1t is a further object of this invention to provide a permutation switch having a series of switch actuators each actuator including a plurality of switch operating elements any one of which elements may be projected into operative position by selective energization of a solenoid associated therewith.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a permutation switch in which means is provided for preventing any change in a selected condition once such selection has been made.

. It is a further object of this invention to provide a permutation switch having cancellation means for cancelling a selection and returning the switch to original condition preparatory to subsequent operation thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the permutation switch of this invention and the electrical circuits associated therewith;

vFig. 2, a schematic circuit diagram for one section of the permutation switch;

. Fig. 3, a fragmentary sectional view showing a switch operatingelement in inoperative position together with its associated solenoid and a cancellation means, the cancellation means being shown in full lines in inoperative position and in phantom in operative position; and,

Fig. 4, a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the switch operating element in operative position.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown in Fig. l a permutation switch which may conveniently comprise switch actuators IIJ, II and I2 forming a three-section switch. Obviously as many sections as necessary may be incorporated in order to obtain th-e desired results. Switch actuators Ill, II and I2 may be mounted for rotation on a single shaft I3 or if desired may be mounted on individual shafts. Each actuator is provided with a gear or other equivalent driving means I4 which may be driven by any desired mechanism such as Various well known coin operated machines or the like and since all of the actuators are identical a description of one will suice for all.

The actuator I0 is shown in the form of a wheel but this is not necessary to the invention since the actuator may be manufactured in any convenient or desired form. As shown, a plurality of switch operating elements I5 are mounted for sliding movement axially of the wheel I@ and these elements are preferably arranged in the form of a circle. Each element I5 comprises an elongated pin slidably mounted in the side walls I6 there being a solenoid I'I within the wheel I0 associated with each element I5 and having a coil I8. Also positioned within the wheel I0 is a disk I9 of insulating material, there being an aperture 20 in this disk for each element I5. Adjacent each aperture are a pair of contacts 2i which are engaged by a wedgeshaped member 22 mounted on each element I5 and which serves to short circuit contacts 2l when the element I5 is in inoperative or retracted position. If desired, the disk I9 and associated contacts 2i may be mounted exteriorly of the wheel I0.

In order to move the element I5 to operative or extended position it is only necessary to energize the coil I8 of the solenoid I'I and to move any of the elements I5 to inoperative position there is provided a cancellation disk or plate 23 provided with an aperture 24 for each element I5, this plate being movable axially of the wheel I0, and being guided in such movement by an extension 25 slidably engaging an aperture 26 in the wheel I0. A washer or the like 2"I is secured to each element I5 outwardly of the cancellation plate 23 and upon movement of the cancellation plate from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown in phantom the plate will engage washer 21 and move element I5 to retracted or inoperative position.

Cancellation plate 23 may conveniently be operated by a solenoid 28 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2.

In order to energize coils I8 of solenoids I'I a to the switch mechanism and to the circuit on4 circuits to be energized thereby; lead 33 connects to brushes engaging slip rings 3.5.,1 3I1and; 31 associated with switch actuators I0, II and I2,

these slip rings being connected to contacts-2I on disk I9 which are connected irl-series ashcwn:`

in Fig. 2. Lead 33 is also connected to terminals 38, 39 and 48 which represent one side ofV three circuits which may be energized by the switch mechanism. Slip ring 35 is connected-to one end. ofthe series of contacts 2Ir and the oppositeend is connected to a slip ring 4I having. a brush inl contact therewithwhich in turn isconnected to selector switch arm 32.-

Lead 34 connects withr brushes contacting slip rings 42 associated with each actuator and leads from these slip rings connect with each solenoid II in the respective actuator as well as with solenoid 28 for operating the cancellation plate. 23. It willthus be seen that when selector switch arm 32=is positioned in engagement withr one of the contacts 38 current will flow from lead 33,.through slip ring- 35and the series of contacts 2| to switch arm 32 through the selected switch point 38, associated brush` and slip ring to-the corresponding solenoid Il'I, thus projectingthe-switch operating.

element or pin I5 outwardly of thefactuator wheel I8. Upon movement of switch operator I5 wedgeshaped member 22 will bedisengaged from contacts 2I thus opening-the solenoid-V circuit and preventing energizationv ofiany' other solenoidr until the element I5 is returnedto its inoperative position. The return circuit for-the solenoid `is of course throughbrush 42 and-lead 34.`

The circuits to be energizedby the switch mechanism of this invention maybe indicated by terminalsl 38-and 43,- 39andy 44; andl48 and45.v Adjacent each actuator wheel I8;II and I2 there is disposeda switch having--xed contacts 48, 47|V and IIB-respectively and movable contacts 49,- 50 and 5Il respectively:V rMovable contact 49-is con nectedto the power sour-ce through lead 34 and xed contact 46 is connected-1 to terminal 43 of the rst circuit and to movable contact 5Ilassor ciated-withswitchsactuator -wheel IfI Fixedcontact 4-I is connected to terminal 44 associatedwithA the second circuit and`l to. movable contact v5I; associatedswithswitch actuator wheel I 2. Fixed contact 48-V is connected y to -terminal 45Lassociated with the third circuit.

In operation4 the three.` selector arms- 32Y will be2 moved t the desired position resulting-in projec-` tion/ot the correspondingv` switch operating elements I to extended oroperative vpositionand for purposesof illustration this Amay be assumed to be element No. 2 in actuator I0, element-No. 8 -in actuator .I I and element No. actuator-42.1. The mechanism `for rotating the actuators is then* put in operation and it actuator Iistopswithw element I5 corresponding -to No.- 2 in-.contact-With movable switch contact 49,` this `circuit f will be closed, thus energizing terminals-38-and43. asso-- ciated with the rst circuit. This operation-willlikewise supply .a sourcesof-.f-current-tomovable contact 50. If switch actuator wheel II stops with the switch operating element I5 corresponding with No. 8 in contact with movable switch contact 58, terminals 39 and 44 corresponding to the second circuit will be energized and a source of current will be supplied to movable contact 5I. If switch actuating wheel I2 stops with switch operating element I5 corresponding to No. 5 in contact with movablecontact 5I 4terminals 40 and 45 corresponding toftheth'ird circuit will be energized thus energizing allY three circuits.

However, if only switch actuator I8 stops in the selected position the rst circuit only will be energizedusince the switch associated with actuatorI I willnot be closed and therefore neither the-secondcircuit nor the third circuit will be energized.v Likewise, if actuators I8 and II stop in selected position only the first two circuits will beenergized since switch contacts 48 and 5I will remain open and the third circuit will likewise remain, open.

Upon.- stopping of theswitch actuating wheels. lil; II and I2 itis necessary torecondition the;4 mechanism for, future operation and for thisg purpose the cancellation plate 23vmust be aotu, ated to return the extendedpswitch operating: elements I5 Yto retracted .position thus reestablish.Y ing, thecircuit through: contacts 2 I. Thisoperaa. tion, is accomplished by, depressing cancellation button 52` whichl closes acircuit from` power source leadrS to slip rings 53 ,co nnected.to.eachy cancellationY solenoid 28;.

Itawill thus be seen .that there hasgbeen prof.. videdby this inventionaswitch mechanismwhich;

` may be utilized to selecta. seriesoff conditions which if satised will result in the energization.v of one or .more circuits and. in which once rmade this selection cannot rbe changed. This mecha,, nisrnV is relativelysimpleand fool-proof. and; isy also provided, with a .simple means for. cancelling.l previous selections and returning the mechanism to. original conditionsor -a.v.subsequent operaf. tion.

Itv willA be obvious .tolthose skilled in the, arti that various changeszmaybe made in.the.inven.

tion;without departingLfrom the `spirit and scope; thereof and therefore the inventionfisnot limitedA by., that which is shown .in the. drawings' and described inthe specification-but. only as indicated:`V in the appended claims.,

What is claimed is;

1. A :permutation: switch forA energizing. one .or morecircuits upon. compliance withA a `series of: selectively. predetermined conditions comprisingsa..V

switchr associated.A with each-A circuit,. means con.

necting said switches `in series. whereby the op-.V` eration of= eachV switch to energize `itsgassociated circuit Vis dependent upon the closing-of the pre-v ceding switches, a rotatableswitch actuator associated with each switchand'havinga-plurality. of selectivelyoperable switch l operating. elements each comprisingamember` mounted in'saidv-actue ator for movementA to-and from a retractedvorextended position, drive means for-rotatinggsaid actuators, solenoid means operablyY associatedlv with each operating element for-moving'the same to extendedposition,A cancellation means oneach actuator, means foroperating said cancellationmeans to move extended operating elements-to retracted positioni selectorV switchY means forz selectively energizingy said solenoids and mea-ns on said operating elements for-rendering -said selector switch -means inoperative .upon-movement of-one of said operating elementstooperative position;

2. A permutation switch for energizing one or more circuits upon compliance with a series of selectively predetermined conditions comprising a switch associated with each circuit, means connecting said switches in series whereby the operation of each switch to energize its associated circuit is dependent upon the closing of the pren ceding switches, a switch actuator associated with each switch and having a plurality of selectively operable switch operating elements each comprising a member mounted in said actuator 'for movement to and from a retracted or extenfled position, solenoid means operaloly associated with each operating element for moving the saine to extended position, cancellation means on each actuator, means for operating said cancellation means to move extended operating elements to retracted position, selector switch means for selectively energizing said solenoids and means on said operating elements for rendering said selector switch means inoperative upon movement of one of said operating elements to operative position.

3. A permutation switch for energizing one or more circuits upon compliance with a series of selectively predetermined conditions comprising a switch associated with each circuit, a switch actuator associated with each switch and having a plurality of selectively operable switch operating elements each comprising a member mounted in said actuator for movement to from a retracted or extended position, solenoid means operably associated with each operating element for moving the same to extended position, cancellation means on each actuator means for operating said cancellation means to move extended operating elements to retracted position, selector switch means for selectively energizing said solenoids and means on said operating elements for rendering said selector switch means inoperative upon movement of one of said operating elements to operative position.

4. A permutation switch for energizing one or more circuits upon compliance with a series of selectively predetermined conditions comprising a switch associated with each circuit, a switch actuator associated with each switch and having a plurality of selectively operable switch operating elements each comprising a member mounted in said actuator for movement to and from a retracted or extended position, means operably associated with each operating element for moving the same to extended position, cancellation means on each actuator means for operating said cancellation means to move extended operating elements to retracted position, selector means for selectively moving said operating elements and means on said operating elements for rendering said selector means inoperative upon movement of one of said operating element-s to operative position.

5. A permutation switch for energizing one or more circuits upon compliance with a series of selectively predetermined conditions comprising a switch associated with each circuit, a switch actuator associated with each switch and having a plurality of selectively operable switch operating elements each comprising a member mounted in said actuator for movement to and from a retracted or extended position, means operahly associated with each operating element for moving the same to extended position, cancellation means on each actuator, means for operating said cancellation means to move extended operating elements to retracted position and selector means `for selectively moving said operating elements to operative position.

6. A permutation switch as deiined in claim 2 in which said cancellation means comprises a disk, a series of apertures in said disk, said apertures slidably receiving said operating elements, a solenoid for moving said disk axially of said actuator and abutment means on said elements constructed and arranged for contact by said disk upon movement thereof to move extended elements to retracted position.

7. A permutation switch as deiined in claim 2 in which said means for rendering said selector switch means inoperative comprises a disk of insulating material, a plurality of pairs of contacts on said disk one pair associated with each operating element, said contacts being connected in series and means on said operating elements for short circuiting said contacts when said elements are in inoperative position.

HENRY HASKETT.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Andres Oct. 12, 1943 Number 

